AB1496 THE EFFECTS OF TELEREHABILITATION BASED EXERCISE PROGRAM IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS
Authors: F. Sari, D. Oskay, A. Tufan
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by skin fibrosis and vasculopathy [1]. Patients may experience a decrease in their daily activities, physical activity levels and quality of life, while psychological problems such as anxiety and depression may increase. In order to eliminate or reduce these symptoms and the consequences of symptoms, exercise programs for the patient, as well as medical treatment, are an important part of the treatment [2, 3]. Telerehabilitation increases overall health awareness, treatment adherence, and satisfaction by enabling patients to take an active role in decision-making and disease management [4]. Telerehabilitation replaces the traditional face-to-face treatment approach, allowing patients to access treatment remotely [5, 6]. In addition Telerehabilitation enabled patients with chronic diseases to access exercise during the COVID 19 pandemic [7]. Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of telerehabilitation-based exercise program in patients with SSc. Methods Forty-six SSc patients were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups as telerehabilitation and control group. Youtube videos consisting of clinical pilates-based exercises were uploaded to the system so that only the patients in the telerehabilitation group could see it. In the telerehabilitation group; An exercise program was applied for eight weeks, twice a day. Video interviews were conducted with the patients once a week. To the control group; the same exercises were given to the telerehabilitation group. An eight-week exercise program was given in the form of a home program. Brochure introducing the exercises was given and exercises were taught. Pain, dyspnea, fatigue, physical activity, anxiety-depression, sleep and quality of life levels were evaluated in all patients at the beginning of the study and at the end of the eight weeks. Results Demographic and clinical features of the patient groups were similar (p&gt;0.05). After the exercise program, pain, fatigue, anxiety-depression levels decreased in the telerehabilitation group compared to the control group, while sleep quality and quality of life increased (p&lt;0.05). The results of the study induced that both exercise programs improve pain, fatigue, anxiety-depression, physical activity, sleep quality and quality of life in SSc patients. The telerehabilitation-based treatment program are more and more effective than the home program. Conclusion Our study shows that this innovative treatment program should be applied especially in SSc patients and it will be beneficial. References [1]Hinchcliff, M. and J. Varga, Systemic sclerosis/scleroderma: a treatable multisystem disease. American family physician, 2008. 78 (8): p. 961-968. [2]Liem, S., et al., Physical activity in patients with systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology international, 2018. 38 (3): p. 443-453. [3]de Oliveira, N.C., et al., Aerobic and resistance exercise in systemic sclerosis: state of the art. Musculoskeletal Care, 2017. 15 (4): p. 316-323. [4]Mair, F. and P. Whitten, Systematic review of studies of patient satisfaction with telemedicine. Bmj, 2000. 320 (7248): p. 1517-1520. [5]Winters, J.M., Telerehabilitation research: emerging opportunities. Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering, 2002. 4 (1): p. 287-320. [6]Carey, J.R., et al., Comparison of finger tracking versus simple movement training via telerehabilitation to alter hand function and cortical reorganization after stroke. Neurorehabilitation and neural repair, 2007. 21 (3): p. 216-232. [7]Boldrini, P., et al., Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on rehabilitation services and Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine physicians’ activities in Italy. An official document of the Italian PRM Society (SIMFER). European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 2020. 56 (3): p. 316-318. Disclosure of Interests None declared